4 Commended For Quick Thinking After Fatal Crash

DURANGO, Colo. (AP) — The Colorado State Patrol has honored four men credited with helping prevent an environmental catastrophe south of Durango after a fatal crash in September.

On Sept. 16, a truck transporting 4,000 gallons of gasoline crashed on U.S. 550, killing the driver. The crash also damaged the truck’s cargo tank, releasing gasoline that threatened to contaminate the nearby Animas River.

The State Patrol says four employees of the oil and gas field services company Crossfire LLC saw the crash and quickly constructed a retaining wall around a nearby storm drain using tools from their vehicle.

Troopers say Travis Andrews, Jeremy Lattin, Andy Morris and Rany Zufell recovered about 1,500 gallons of gasoline immediately after the crash. They received certificates of commendation Thursday in Durango.